Speeches by Reader.

“I just wanted to clarify that.”

“My hon. Friend makes a fantastic point. A big thing that businesses make clear to me is that we have to approach this with humility. We also have to recognise the impact that Brexit has had on European businesses and the cost they face in trading with the UK. This is not a one-way issue; it impacts both ways, and it is…”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Jeremy. This debate comes at a critical time, given the upcoming UK-EU summit. This summer we are at the pinch point of the trade triangle, with the trade strategy, the small business strategy and the industrial strategy coming forward to give British businesses ce…”

“Has there been more consistency in the regulatory framework in Europe, and Governments sticking to policy, or have they still faced some of the challenges we have faced with chopping and changing? Mary, you are shaking your head.”

“Steve, People for Power built on this in its submission. We heard about Denmark’s wind capacity being 52% owned by citizens and 67% of onshore wind capacity being generated in citizen-owned parks. What can we learn from Europe?”

“My final question is on green power pools. We have heard they have an advantage of working over much wider geographical areas than local energy clubs, and with larger-scale renewables such as offshore wind. Do we need further action to develop that concept in the UK? If so, what would that action be?”

“I just want to pick up very quickly. You mentioned social value. I was trying to understand why it costs you more money or adds cost on. Is it because authorities are following the national TOMs and it is very much a box-ticking exercise? Is there another reason why you see that adding cost to the service that you are …”

“When you say “they”, what do you mean by “they”? Who is asking you to provide those services? Is it local authorities or private contractors you are partnering with?”

“Good afternoon, everyone. We have just heard from the previous panel around power purchasing arrangements. I think some of you were sitting in the back when people were talking. We have seen some evidence particularly that the short-term nature of them does not always support community energy. How could the Government …”

“Benedict, would you like to add something?”

“Steve Shaw, just to change tack slightly, the Local Electricity Bill proposed a community and smaller-scale electricity export guarantee scheme. That is a mouthful. How does that compare to similar proposals to create price security such as from Community Energy England?”

“Stephen Harris, I am going to come to you with a slightly different tack. In OVO Energy’s evidence, you talked about the misuse of class A licensing exemptions, and we had some evidence as well from Cornwall Insights that said that there is some quite significant profiteering through levy avoidance. How rife is that, a…”

“You will be pleased to know we are on to the final question. Thank you for bearing with us. We are going to look at learning from Europe and from around the world. Benedict, what could the Government learn from Europe in relation to successful policies to support local energy trading, and how should they seek to do so?”

“Do you see those values in the UK Government’s mission‑driven approach? Do you see that at the forefront as an objective of this Government?”

“Steve, People for Power built on this in its submission. We heard about Denmark’s wind capacity being 52% owned by citizens and 67% of onshore wind capacity being generated in citizen-owned parks. What can we learn from Europe?”

“My final question is on green power pools. We have heard they have an advantage of working over much wider geographical areas than local energy clubs, and with larger-scale renewables such as offshore wind. Do we need further action to develop that concept in the UK? If so, what would that action be?”

“I just want to pick up very quickly. You mentioned social value. I was trying to understand why it costs you more money or adds cost on. Is it because authorities are following the national TOMs and it is very much a box-ticking exercise? Is there another reason why you see that adding cost to the service that you are …”

“When you say “they”, what do you mean by “they”? Who is asking you to provide those services? Is it local authorities or private contractors you are partnering with?”

“Good afternoon, everyone. We have just heard from the previous panel around power purchasing arrangements. I think some of you were sitting in the back when people were talking. We have seen some evidence particularly that the short-term nature of them does not always support community energy. How could the Government …”

“Benedict, would you like to add something?”